History

Autograph Manuscript Notes for 'Deputy Controller's Course', in official Royal Air Force notebook. With two mimeographed typed documents relating to the Course, including one with introduction by Wing Commander Bradford.

Author: 
A. H. Anderson, L.A.C.; Wing Commander J. R. Bradford, Fighter Command, Controllers' Training Unit [Royal Air Force; Deputy Controllers' Course; Second World War]
[RAF] Autograph Manuscript Notes for 'Deputy Controller's Course
Publication details: 
Notebook dated by Anderson on cover 'Woodlands, Clamp Hill, Stanmore. 27 October 1941.' One of the mimeographed documents dated from Woodlands, 26 June 1941.
£250.00
[RAF] Autograph Manuscript Notes for 'Deputy Controller's Course

4to 'Royal Air Force. Notebook for use in Schools', with Anderson's notes in pencil on all but 11 of its 96 pp. Text clear and complete, written in a neat, tight hand, with diagrams and tables. Fair, on aged paper, with slightly dog-eared corners, in worn and creased wraps. Ownership inscription on front cover of 'A. H. Anderson L.A.C. | Deputy Controller's Course | Woodlands. 27.10.'41'. Providing important first-hand insights into the procedure of the RAF during World War II. Subjects include 'Fighter Command Organisation', 'I.F.F. (Identification friend or foe)', 'P.P.L.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter'), the first to Walter F. Stocks and the second to an unnamed male correspondent on the occasion of Stocks's death.

Author: 
Sir William Boyd Carpenter (1841-1918), Bishop of Ripon and court chaplain to Queen Victoria [Walter F. Stocks]
Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter')
Publication details: 
The first letter undated; on letterhead of The Cloisters, Windsor Castle. The second 21 January 1916; on letterhead of 6 Little Cloisters, Westminster SW.
£56.00
Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter')

Both items with text clear and complete, on aged and discoloured paper. First letter (12mo, 1 p, 14 lines): He informs Stocks that he will be 'delighted to do what you ask [...] it will be a sincere pleasure to me - There is only one If - which I hope will be but a formal one'. He will be on duty at Windsor Castle till 15 December, but has 'no doubt the Dean will take my place'. Second Letter (12mo, 1 p, 11 lines): He is 'grieved to hear of this sad loss [...] Walter Stocks was a good and true fellow I always had a warm place in my heart for him'.

Grammatical Sketch and Specimens of the Berber Language: preceded by four Letters on Berber Etymologies . . .Read October 2nd, 1829.

Author: 
William B. Hodgson (1801-1871), scholar-diplomat
Grammatical Sketch and Specimens of the Berber Language
Publication details: 
[1829]
£185.00
Grammatical Sketch and Specimens of the Berber Language

Offprint, "Transactions of the American Philosophical Society", vol.iv, New Series, brown paper wraps, 48pp., 4to, two one-word corrections in Hodgson's hand, some foxing, marginal chipping of page edges, fair. INSCRIBED "To President Adams | With the hommage | of W B Hodgson". Note: Hodgson served in the State Department through the influence of Henry Clay who, when secretary of state in Adams's administration, "assigned Hodgson to the Barbary States . . ."

The Cause of the Heavy Burdens of Great Britain, and of her National Debt; comprising a rapid survey of some of the great events, especially connected with the finances of British History, during the last hundred and fifty years.

Author: 
[John Allen (1790?-1859) of Liskeard] [the National Debt of Great Britain]
The Cause of the Heavy Burdens of Great Britain, and of her National Debt
Publication details: 
Second Edition Revised. 1843. London: Harvey and Darton, Gracechurch-street, and C. Gilpin, 5 Bishopsgate-street. [Johnston & Barrett, Printers, 13 Mark-Lane.]
£76.00
The Cause of the Heavy Burdens of Great Britain, and of her National Debt

12mo, 12 pp, and fold-out frontispiece of table showing the 'British National Debt, funded and unfunded, stated in millions of pounds sterling' from 1689 to 1843, with four other columns. Stitched and in original printed wraps. Text clear and complete. Several copies of varying condition. Usually Fair: lightly-aged and creased. Scarce: other than electronic reproductions, COPAC only lists copies of this second edition at the Bodleian and British Library.

Correspondence and Proceedings in the Negociation for a Renewal of the East-India Company's Charter. [John Fane's copy]

Author: 
[John Fane (1751-1824), Tory politician] [the East India Company]
Correspondence and Proceedings . . .Renewal of the East-India Company Charter
Publication details: 
London: Printed for Black, Parry, and Co. Leadenhall Street. 1812. [London: - Printed by Cox and Baylis, 75, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields.]
£56.00
Correspondence and Proceedings . . .Renewal of the East-India Company Charter

8vo, [viii] + 92 + [iv] pp. The last four pages comprise a publisher's catalogue. Unbound. Stitched as issued. First leaf discoloured and stained, last five leaves creased: otherwise a very good tight copy. Ownership inscription at head of first leaf, reading 'J. Fane Esq MP | 8 Great George St.'

Writers Against Apartheid [broadsheet magazine containing poems by MacDiarmid, MacNeice, Empson]

Author: 
I. F. White, editor, 'Writers Against Apartheid' [South Africa; racism; Sean O'Casey; Hugh MacDiarmid; Louis MacNeice; William Empson]
I. F. White, editor, 'Writers Against Apartheid'
Publication details: 
Printed by Villiers Publications Ltd., Ingestre Road, London, N.W.5.
£280.00
I. F. White, editor, 'Writers Against Apartheid'

Broadsheet bifolium, 4 pp. Text clear and complete. On lightly-aged paper, worn along fold lines. Poetry collection, containing twenty-eight poems by writers including 'Mazizi Kunene (In Exile, London, 1960)' and Hugh MacDiarmid, whose two poems have the footnote 'We are especially pleased to print these two new poems by Hugh McDiarmid, contributed despite the painful after effects of his recent car smash. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.' Masthead endorsement by Sean O'Casey: 'I am with you in all efforts to create perfect race equality the world over.

Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester, to unknown correspondent about House Party

Author: 
Consuelo Manchester [Countess of Manchester]
Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester
Publication details: 
No place or date survivng.
£38.00
Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester

Final page of a letter, 8vo, good condition. "am just back here.

Manuscript journal of a South African lady, 1948, returning after many years in England, including an account of her memories 'of the Cape as a girl'.

Author: 
[South African journal of a returning middle-class lady, 1948]
Manuscript journal of a South African lady, 1948
Publication details: 
Dated 'Bellaire Private Hotel | Fish Hoek | Cape Province | Jan. 18th. / 48.' [18 January 1948]
£380.00
Manuscript journal of a South African lady, 1948

4to, 166 pp. In ruled 'University Exercise Book'. Text clear and complete. On lightly aged paper, tight, in shaky binding with worn boards. The identity of the diarist is unclear. Her husband is named 'Berten', and their are references to 'Minie' (daughter?) and 'Kate' (South African sister-in-law?). A loosely air mail letter may provide a clue to the identity of the diary's author. Dated 30 April 1962, it is written by P. J. Duncan of Newlands to Miss Ruth Ince-Jones (diarist's daughter) of Geneva, Switzerland.

Printed handbill reproducing a letter from Hensley, headed '(From "THE TIMES," October 17, 1888.) | SLOUGH AND M. ARAGO. | TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.', deploring the proposed change of the name of the twon from Slough to Upton Royal.

Author: 
Canon Lewis Hensley (1824-1905), Vicar of Hichin [Slough, Berkshire; Upton Royal]
Printed handbill: Slough and Mr Arago.
Publication details: 
Hitchin Vicarage, Oct. 16, 1888.
£75.00
Printed handbill: Slough and Mr Arago.

On one side of a piece of wove paper, 32 x 24 cm. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper, with slight wear to extremities. Headed '(From "THE TIMES," October 17, 1888.) SLOUGH AND M. ARAGO. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.' The letter is thirteen lines long, ephatically printed in good-sized type. Signed in type 'LEWIS HENSLEY. | Hitchin Vicarage, Oct.

Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution française], to a British Admiral [Was Sidney Smith the only Admiral who could speak French?], hostile to democracy among other things.

Author: 
Amédée de Willot, French General.
Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution
Publication details: 
Baltimore, [Maryland, USA], 29 October 1810.
£380.00
Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution

Two pages, 4to, bifolium, fold marks, some discoloration, but text clear and complete. He takes the liberty of introducing "deux voyageurs,pour vous renouveller l'expression de ma reconnaissance: ce jour deux jeunes américains bien Elevés, fils des Colonel Howard [American Revolutionary hero and important in the development of Baltimore, etc] et [Sloan?] ... et ce qui est mieux de la consideration publique ils voyagent pour ... et désirent beaucoup de voir un héros de l'angleterre, c'est pourquoi j'ai pris la liberté de vous les adrèsser.

Manuscript document headed 'City of Worcester - An Account of Leases and Licenses from the Corporation already sealed'.

Author: 
Richard Cocks [City of Worcester]
Richard Cocks [City of Worcester], manuscript
Publication details: 
5 October 1790.
£95.00
Richard Cocks [City of Worcester], manuscript

8vo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight wear to extremities. First three pages, with forty entries, beginning with 'To Thomas Ford 2l. 12s. 6d. and petition 2gs'. All entries with 'Stamps & parchms.' in left-hand column and 'Licenses from' in right-hand column. Subheading after nine entries reads 'Leases and Licenses ordered prior to 28th. January 1787 but not drawn the Fines not being returned as po. for Pr. Chamberlain'. All columns totalled at end. Docketed on last pager, with signature of 'Richd.

Typed Letter Signed ('W. H. H. Southerland') to Carlton Chapman.

Author: 
W. H. H. Southerland [William Henry Hudson Southerland (1852-1933)], Admiral in the United States Navy [Carlton Chapman; Spanish-American War; Cuban Blockade]
W. H. H. Southerland, (1852-1933)], US Admiral, Letter
Publication details: 
16 January 1899. On letterhead of the Navy Department, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington.
£125.00
W. H. H. Southerland, (1852-1933)], US Admiral, Letter

4to, 1 p. Fifteen lines of typewritten text and seven-line autograph postscript. Text clear and complete. Good on lightly aged and creased paper. Concerning Southerland's involvement in the Spanish-American War, in which he commanded the gunboat Eagle in the blockade of Cuban ports. He is glad Chapman is pleased with the report. He will send 'the photograph of the ARGONAUTA and one of the SANTO DOMINGO'. He asks for them to be returned, as they are 'amongst the few small mementos I have of the war'. In the postscript he writes that he has 'an 8'' by 10'' photo.

Manuscript Letter, signed 'Spotttiswoode & Co., to Hudson, regarding copies of his 'The Second War of Independence in America'.

Author: 
Spottiswoode and Co., Printers & Lithographers, New-Street Square, London [Eduard Maco Hudson, American historian]
Spottiswoode and Co., Printers & Lithographers, Letter
Publication details: 
28 November 1867; on Spottiswoode and Co. letterhead.
£56.00
Spottiswoode and Co., Printers & Lithographers, Letter

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. They have '300 Bound Copies' of the book 'on hand', 'the remainder have been sold, producing £3. 1 6'. States the cost of shipping the books to Hudson.

Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('Tho Hughes') to Twining.

Author: 
Thomas Hughes [Thomas Smart Hughes] (1786–1847), historian [Richard Twining (1772-1857), tea and coffee merchant]
Thomas Hughes, historian, Letter
Publication details: 
15 September 1823.
£36.00
Thomas Hughes, historian, Letter

Strip of paper cut from letter, roughly 19 x 9 cm. Poor, on lightly-stained paper, with small section lacking from the breaking open of the seal, resulting in loss of one word. Postmark and fragment of address on reverse: '<...>d Twining Esqr | <...> Strand | London'. Reads 'Yrs very truly | [signed] Tho Hughes | 15 Sepr 1823 | I was glad to hear so tolerable an account of your father: while life continues <...> him, I hope it will please God to render it tolerable'. From the Twining archives.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Jane Lane.') to 'Mr. Howarth'.

Author: 
'Jane Lane' [pen name of Elaine Kidner Dakers] (1905-1978), English historical novelist
Jane Lane, historical novelist, letter
Publication details: 
29 January 1956; on her Hampstead letterhead.
£28.00
Jane Lane, historical novelist, letter

4to, 1 p. Ten lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with some creasing at head. The delay in replying is due to 'a rather severe attack of influenza'. She has no photograph to send ('I have been meaning to have some new ones taken, but never seem to get time'), but is 'so glad that my books give you pleasure, & I hope that I shall be able to continue to entertain you with them'.

Two Typed Letters Signed ('Moran') to Noon.

Author: 
Charles McMoran Wilson, 1st Baron Moran [Lord Moran] (1882-1977), Sir Winston Churchill's personal physician [Charles Noon (d.1957), senior surgeon to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital]
Publication details: 
1 March 1951 and 1 March 1955; both on his Harley Street letterhead.
£75.00

Both items good, on lightly-aged paper, each with a punch-hole to the top left-hand corner. Letter One: 12mo, 1 p. Concerning 'the Committee' and two surgeons. Letter Two: 4to, 1 p. Twenty-three typed lines and a four-line autograph postscript. Possibly relating to the Royal College of Physicians. Discussing his concerns 'about our means of getting C's in the Region'.

Manuscript account of 'Revenue as calculated to end of Charter', including reference to St Helena.

Author: 
East India Company [St Helena; Charter of 1833]
Publication details: 
Dated at foot '1845'.
£150.00

On one side of a piece of laid watermarked paper, 14 x 8 cm. On aged and creased paper. The accounts are brief, and neatly written in an unidentified hand. At foot '1845'. Headed 'Revenue as calculated to end of Charter', and featuring a total of £17,936,217 against itemised charges of £18,763517, including those incurred 'in India', 'Esp: St Helena', 'Political Chges in England' and 'Cost of '. Beneath this a section headed 'Of ye above charges may be pble in Engd'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Y. Smythies') to Twining, including two translations of 'Bishop Lowth's Maria's Elegy'.

Author: 
Rev. William Yorick Smythies (1816-1910), husband of the Victorian novelist Mrs Gordon Smythies [née Harriette Maria Gordon] (1813-1883) [Richard Twining (1749-1824), tea and coffee merchant]
Publication details: 
17 October 1838; Colchester.
£95.00

4to, 3pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with slight loss to second leaf caused by opening of red wax seal (part of which still adheres), and minor nicking to edges. Begins: 'The task you set me was a task indeed [...] my first attempt at translation'. He comments on some of the difficulties involved ('The Cara so often repeated in the original is beautiful in repetition while it's angliciz'd Dear is so degraded by vulgar use').

Autograph Signature ('Clarendon')

Author: 
Thomas Villiers (1709-1786), 1st Earl of Clarendon, British Whig politician and diplomat
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

On piece of laid paper, 1 x 3.5 cm. Fair, on aged paper, with traces of previous mount on reverse, which is docketed in a nineteenth-century hand '1776'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos Dick Lauder') to William Mitchell of Parsons Green.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Dick Lauder of Fountainhall (1784-1848), Deputy Lieutenant of Moray and Haddington, Scottish writer and academic
Publication details: 
7 January 1840; The Grange House.
£75.00

4to, 3 pp. Bifolium. 61 lines of text; clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Having recovered from 'the surprise which I received from the communication made to me today by our mutual friend Sir James Gibson Craig', his 'first idea was to go directly to Parsons Green to give full vent to my gratitude' for Mitchell's generosity. The rest of the letter gives fulsome expression Lauder's his feelings at 'the generous - the magnificent gifts' (unspecified) which Mitchell is 'dispensing - with so little parade'.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Dr [John?] Bowring". 5 Millman Street, London.

Author: 
Thomas Dick Lauder.
Publication details: 
Relugas, 15 June 1830.
£250.00

Author (see DNB). Six pages, 4to, with hole and chip causing small loss of text, some staining, pahes attached at margin, obscuring a word or two, text clear. Profuse thanks for his "kind letter from the canal" and a later note and present. He enjoyed his short visit, regretting the loss of a day when he attended "the wrangling of a dull county meeting". More on his enjoyment of his company, and hope that he'll fulfil his promise to visit again. He goes on: "A change . . .

Autograph Note Signed ('Geo W McCrary') to Evarts.

Author: 
George Washington McCrary (1835-1890), United States Secretary of War, Iowa Republican Congressman and judge [William Maxwell Evarts (1818-1901), US Secretary of State]
Publication details: 
16 December 1878. On letterhead of the War Department, Washington.
£48.00

12mo, 1 p. Good, on ruled paper. A note of introduction for the bearer, Miss Ward [Genevieve Ward, actress]..

Autograph Letter, in the third person, to Ridgway.

Author: 
Edward Law (1790-1871), 1st Earl of Ellenborough [James Ridgway (1755-1838), London bookseller]
Publication details: 
16/07/35
£35.00

12mo, 1 p. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub adhering to blank second leaf of bifolium. Ask for the Morning Post to be sent to Euston Square, and 'the Standard discontinued'. He will require the Morning Post the following day.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J A Lowell') to Rainford, concerning a consignment of botanical books from England.

Author: 
John Amory Lowell (1798-1881), American businessman and philanthropist [Edward Rainford, London bookseller]
Publication details: 
19 June 1843; Boston.
£195.00

4to, 1 p. Twenty-one lines of text. Clear and complete. On aged, stained and worn paper, with a couple of small spike holes. Revealing, in the attention to detail which it exhibits. He begins by reporting that 'the Rosabella arrived safe & the books appear to be correct with the following exceptions'. Two paragraphs follow, carefully describing duplicate plates and other faults in the books received (including "Genus Plantarum"). The replacements may be sent 'through Wilmer & Smith, booksellers, Liverpool - or by Harden's express - or through Messrs. John D.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Eustace G Cecil') to 'Mr. Chittenden'.

Author: 
Lord Eustace Cecil [Lord Eustace Brownlow Henry Gascoyne-Cecil] (1834-1921), British Conservative politician
Publication details: 
10 October [no year]; on letterhead of Knowsley, Prescot.
£28.00

12mo, 3 pp. Good, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Recomending shares in three companies of which he is chairman, before discussing personal matters. 'Evelyn is prospering as much as an expectant & comparatively briefless barrister can [...] Arthur Balfour is doing very well - & is holding his own - & more than his own - spite of misrepresentation - downright falsehood - & the tricks which politicians in these days seem so proud'. Laments the 'standard of morality', and apologises for the 'long sermon'.

Autograph Letter Signed "Wm Geo. Skyring" to John Ince of the Royal Navy, of Crooms Hill, Greenwich

Author: 
William George Skyring, Naval Officer and surveyor, Captain of HM Surveying VesselS Aetna
Publication details: 
H.M. Surveying Vessel Aetna, 9 Oct. 1833.
£250.00

One page, folio, some tears on fold marks, other minor defects, text clear and complete. "I beg you to let me know by return of Post [phrase underlined] whther you desire to join the Aetna - I heard from Captn. Beaufort this morning that you do - but you have acted with so much indecision that I scarcely know whether to apply or not until more fully assured - For your Mothers sake alone I am perfctly willing to wait an answer - and if you are prepared to join - send me - / Your name at length / Date of original Entry in the Service / Name of last Ship / Rating on her.

An Address on Temperance Societies.

Author: 
A FRIEND.' [Joseph Livesey, printer, Church-street, Preston, Lancashire; provincial printing; temperance societies]
Publication details: 
Undated [1850?]. Printed and Sold by J. Livesey, Church-street, Preston.
£65.00

12mo, 4 pp. Disbound bifolium. Text clear and complete. On aged and foxed paper, with some wear and chipping. 'The distillers, merchants, and dealers; the landlords, the brewers, and the owners of licensed houses - not to say the government itself - actuated by interested motives, have all done honour at the shrine of Bacchus; and when it is understood that about a million of persons are enriched or supported by this nefarious traffic, no wonder that the happy soil of England should be deluged with this liquid fire.' Following slug: '(1s. 4d.

One Autograph Letter Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to Stanley T. Cross, of the Registry of the International Court of Justice, the Hague; and four Typed Letters Signed to Cross's widow (all signatures 'E Hambro').

Author: 
Edvard Hambro [Edvard Isak Hambro] (1911-1977), 25th President of the United Nations General Assembly
Publication details: 
Letters to Cross, 1949 and 1950; letters to Cross's widow, 1950 and 1951; five on the letterhead of the International Court of Justice, The Hague.
£165.00

The collection in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with each item carrying a punch-hole in top left-hand corner of first page. Letter One: in manuscript; to Cross; 3 September 1949; on 'Edvard Hambro' letterhead; 8vo, 2 pp. Affectionate letter on Cross's retirement from the Registry of the International Court. '[...] I find the Peace Palace curiously empty without you. I am going to miss your visits to my room and mine to yours.

The Charter of the United Nations. Commentary and Documents. Second and Revised Edition. [with signed inscription by Hambro]

Author: 
L. M. Goodrich and E. Hambro [Edvard Isak Hambro (1911-1977), 25th President of the United Nations General Assembly]
Publication details: 
London: Stevens & Sons Limited, 1949. [Published under the auspices of The London Institute of World Affairs]
£75.00

8vo, xvi + 710 + [iv] pp. Tight copy, with foxing to top edge and endpapers. Bumped corners. In worn dustwrapper with closed tears at head and tail of spine. Inscribed on front free endpaper to 'Stanley T. Cross, with cordial regards and thanks for good collaboration for three years. [signed] E Hambro. The Hague, September 49.'

The Democrat. A Weekly Journal for Men and Women. [first issue]

Author: 
William Saunders (1823-1895), newspaper publisher and editor and British Liberal politician [William George; Hackney]
Publication details: 
No. 1. Saturday, November 15, 1884. [Printed and Published for the Proprietors by J. C. DURANT, Clement's House, Clements Inn Passage, London, W.C.
£165.00

Broadsheet, 8 pp. A single sheet, folded twice and unopened. No stapling. Text clear and complete, on aged and spotted paper (not high-acidity newsprint), with wear and chipping to extremities. Articles include 'The American Elections' by Henry George; ''The Crofter Revolt', and 'The "Pall Mall Gazette" Panic'. Also 'Metropolitan Constituencies No. I. - Hackney'. Scarce: no copy at the British Library (Colindale) and the only run on COPAC at the University of London.

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